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Keep a Job Site Safe and Secure
A recent report by Verisk Analytics showed that total reconstruction costs, including materials and retail labor, were up 8.12% from April 2020 to April 2021, in all states. The material with the most significant impact on this rise in cost was lumber at a staggering 84.71% price increase.
With the value of these already desirable materials skyrocketing, thieves may be targeting job sites to steal unsecured materials and equipment – putting Contracting businesses at an increased risk of job site thefts.
Now, more than ever, contractors must be vigilant about material and equipment theft. Selective offers the following strategies and solutions to help deter criminals from stealing from job sites.
Secure Equipment Daily
Keep an Equipment Inventory
Properly Light and Fence-In Job Sites
National Equipment Registry (NER)
Selective policyholders benefit from our partnership with the industry experts at National Equipment Register (NER), a national database of heavy equipment and owners. NER offers several great services which help law enforcement recover stolen items:
A recent report by Verisk Analytics showed that total reconstruction costs, including materials and retail labor, were up 8.12% from April 2020 to April 2021, in all states. The material with the most significant impact on this rise in cost was lumber at a staggering 84.71% price increase.
With the value of these already desirable materials skyrocketing, thieves may be targeting job sites to steal unsecured materials and equipment – putting Contracting businesses at an increased risk of job site thefts.
Now, more than ever, contractors must be vigilant about material and equipment theft. Selective offers the following strategies and solutions to help deter criminals from stealing from job sites.
Secure Equipment Daily
- Anchor equipment with chains and lower any blades or buckets.
- Park large machines in a circle, with smaller portable equipment in the middle, creating a barrier to protect the smaller items
- Store equipment keys in a locked safe on-site, or take off-site
- Install GPS or LoJack devices to help track and recover stolen equipment
- If possible, store equipment in an area monitored by cameras
Keep an Equipment Inventory
- Keep a detailed inventory of equipment, including the year, manufacturer, model, serial number, and any unique features of each machine
- Take photos of machines from multiple angles and keep prints in the inventory catalog
- Develop a procedure for checking materials on and off the job site daily
- Develop a Security Policy with Employees
- Train workers to properly secure the job site
- Reinforce that security is a top priority to deter internal, employee theft
- Make it clear that when equipment is discovered missing, it should be reported as soon as possible
Properly Light and Fence-In Job Sites
- Consider installing light towers to deter theft and vandalism, especially near an office trailer, equipment storage trailer, sheds, and equipment
- If possible, enclose the entire job sit in sturdy fencing with one or two access points
- Have employees park their personal vehicles in designated areas to minimize the thefts of tools and materials
National Equipment Registry (NER)
Selective policyholders benefit from our partnership with the industry experts at National Equipment Register (NER), a national database of heavy equipment and owners. NER offers several great services which help law enforcement recover stolen items:
- IRONcheck® – lets users search the nation’s largest database of stolen construction equipment to verify that equipment is not stolen before purchasing
- IRONwatch™ – offers real-time GPS tracking devices to help locate and recover your stolen construction equipment
- HELPtech® – an equipment ownership database that helps users with registered equipment deter theft and increase the chances of recovering stolen equipment
